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Blue Mountain Eagle
OBITUARIES
COVID-19 vaccine open to
all 16 and older on April 19
By Gary A. Warner
Oregon Capital Bureau
All Oregonians age 16 and
older will be eligible for the
COVID-19 vaccine on April 19,
a week earlier than the previous
earliest date, Gov. Kate Brown
said Tuesday.
“We are locked in a race
between vaccine distribution and
the rapid spread of COVID-19
variants,” Brown said.
The new April 19 target
date is a new national directive
announced early Tuesday at the
White House by President Joe
Biden.
Oregon originally did not
plan on opening vaccine eligibil-
ity to all aged 16 and over until
July 1.
Biden directed all states to
lift any limits beyond the min-
imum age by May 1. After fi rst
saying the state would stick with
its phased eligibility timetables,
Brown soon announced the May
1 dates for open eligibility.
Brown had announced that
counties that were ready to
expand vaccinations could apply
to move the date to April 26.
Now, April 19 marks the start
of open eligibility.
The push to open up eli-
gibility comes as Brown has
announced a “fourth wave” of
COVID-19 infections was hit-
ting the nation and state, end-
ing a long downward trend since
Jan. 1. The state has been report-
ing over 400 cases per day and
rising hospitalizations. An Ore-
gon Health & Sciences Univer-
sity forecast released last week
estimated the spike will lead to
an average of 1,000 cases per
day by next month.
Oregon will continue to use
its current eligibility system
until then. People with underly-
ing medical conditions, essen-
tial workers and other groups are
currently on the list. Anyone age
65 and older remains eligible.
“My offi ce will work closely
with the White House to ensure
VACCINE CLINICS
PLANNED IN LONG
CREEK, MONUMENT,
DAYVILLE
The Grant County Health
Department and Blue
Mountain Hospital an-
nounced in a joint press
release that residents in
Long Creek, Monument and
Dayville can roll up their
sleeves Thursday, April 8,
for the one-shot Johnson &
Johnson vaccine at various
times and locations.
The health department and
hospital will be at the Long
Creek Community Hall from
9-10 a.m and then the Mon-
ument Senior Center from
11 a.m. to noon. Later in the
day, they will be at the Day-
ville Community Church
from 2-3 p.m, according to
the press release.
Those interested in making
an appointment to receive
the vaccine can email
vaccine@ccsemail.org with
name, date of birth, phone
number, address, any
chronic health conditions
and which location they
plan to attend. If unable to
email, call 541-575-0429.
Oregon receives our fair share
of federal vaccine supplies, so
we can continue with a fast, fair,
and equitable vaccine distribu-
tion process.”
Later today, the Governor’s
Offi ce and the Oregon Health
Authority will announce county
risk level movements based on
the continued spread of COVID-
19 in Oregon communities. The
initial statistics issued Mon-
day show a rise in the number
of infections and the infection
rate around the state. The White
House is also set to announce
Tuesday that 150 million shots
have been administered since
Biden took offi ce on Jan. 20. He
had promised to get 100 million
shots into American’s arms by
his 100th day in offi ce, April 30.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Margey L. Fisher
Martha Chavez Lepez
Sept. 28, 1932 – March 15, 2021
Margey L. Fisher passed away peacefully at her residence
March 15, 2021, surrounded by love and caring hands of family.
She was the fi rst of fi ve children born
to Robert and Odetha Morris on Sept.
28, 1932, in Raymond, Washington .
The family soon moved to Willamina,
then to Ritter, where she and her siblings
grew up. She married B. Dean Fisher in
Pendleton in the spring of 1952. The
couple moved to Colorado where they
raised a family. They enjoyed many
journeys during their marriage — fl ying
in Deans airplane, riding his motorcycle
and family vacations. Margey moved
back to Oregon after Deans passing.
Margey made friends easily. She relished dancing, laughing,
a good argument and an occasional shot of tequila. Margey was
a known for being a good cook. She also baked and decorated
cakes, grew delicious vegetables and bright tulips, gladiolas, iris
and a variety of other fl owers. She delighted in spending time
with family. She especially loved the Oregon coast and spend-
ing time with her kitty.
In 1949 Margey was a Grant County Rodeo princess and
rode in the Pendleton Round-Up. She attended the Rodeo Prin-
cess and Fair Court 50th reunion and parade in John Day in 2009.
She always looked forward to catching up with longtime
friends at the Ritter/3 Mile and Range School reunions.
Margey was laid to rest by her family at a small gathering at
Ritter Cemetery.
She’ll be missed by sisters, a son, a daughter, grandchildren
and numerous other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a baby brother,
Raymond; brother, Merle Morris; and husband, Dean Fisher.
Donations may be made to your local humane society.
A memorial picnic will be held this summer. To share a spe-
cial memory, send to Margey Fisher, P.O. Box 416, Irrigon, OR
97844.
Aug. 10, 1949 – March 20, 2021
Martha Chavez Lepez, passed away on March 20, 2021, at Blue
Mountain Hospital in John Day, Oregon, at the age of 71. She was born
on Aug. 10, 1949, in Coalcoman, Michoacan,
Mexico. She married Jesus Lepez, her hus-
band of 56 years, on May 10, 1964. The cou-
ple immigrated to the United States in pursuit
of a better life with their four children in tow
in 1979. They lived in Madras, Oregon, for
a short period before settling permanently in
Kimberly, Oregon, in 1980. She worked for
Thomas Orchards for 25-plus years.
She was not only the matriarch of her fam-
ily, but the very heart and soul of it. She found
great joy in cooking meals for others, welcom-
ing them into her home whether they were family, friends or strangers.
Anyone who knew Martha probably has a memory of having a meal
at her home on at least one occasion. Her cooking was traditional and
authentic; recipes she had been taught by her mother and then passed on
to her daughters and granddaughters — as is fi tting in Mexican culture.
Martha’s greatest joys in life were her family, friends and spending
time in her fl ower garden. After retirement, she spent time tending her
extensive fl owerbeds and various vegetable plants; she viewed this work
as a blessing.
Martha is survived by her husband, Jesus; their children, David, Jesse,
Maria and Angie; 11 grandchildren, Christian, Bianca, Zavier, Cass,
McKensie, Maya, Mattaya, Katie, Bailey, Kayla and Marcos; and four
great-grandchildren, Ellie, Evie, Emma and Finn.
A tribute from her family: “She will be missed beyond measure. We
don’t say goodbye to her, but instead, we live with the knowledge we
will see her again one day. It is comforting to know she was loved by so
many.”
Kenneth P. Faught
Kenneth Preston Faught, age 87, of Mt. Vernon passed away
March 15, 2021, at his residence with his family by his side.
Sharon L. Potter
Sharon Louise Potter, age 75, of Mt. Vernon passed away
March 29, 2021, at her residence with her loving husband
by her side. Arrangements have been entrusted to Driskill
Memorial Chapel. To leave an online condolence for the
family, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle.
The paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is
subject to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be
corrected and republished as paid memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be
published as paid memorials. Send obituaries by email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-
575-1244; or mail, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or
to inquire about a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710.
Robert ‘Bob’ J. Hendriksen
Nov. 8, 1933 – March 18, 2021
Robert “Bob” J. Hendriksen, 87, a resident of Baker City,
Oregon, died March 18, 2021, at his home in Baker City.
A memorial service will be held at
2 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021, at Mt.
Hope Cemetery, Baker City, for Bob
and his wife, Nita, who died April 28,
2017. The Rev. Suresh Kumar Telagani
of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Baker
City, will offi ciate at the services.
Bob was born Nov. 8, 1933, a son
of George and Bertha (Patteeuw) Hen-
driksen in Nebraska. He worked many
years in the lumber industry and is sur-
vived by his children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Nita.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions in his
memory may direct them to cancer research. This maybe
done through the Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker
City, OR 97814. To leave condolences, visit colestributecen-
ter.com.
Families of frontline workers can now get vaccinated
By Steven Mitchell
Blue Mountain Eagle
Family members of grocery
store workers, bus drivers, and
other frontline workers now have
the green light to get the COVID-
19 vaccine.
Grant County Public Health
Administrator Kimberly Lind-
say said Friday that Oregon also
expanded the list of underlying
health conditions for people over
16. As defi ned by the Centers for
Disease Control, those underly-
ing conditions include current
and former smokers, those with
START BY BELIEVING
What to Say:
”I believe you.”
“I’m sorry this happened.”
“I am here for you.”
BE SUPPORTIVE
What to Say:
“You can tell me as much, or as
little as you want.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I’m glad you told me. I’m so
proud of you.”
Type 1 diabetes and people who
are slightly overweight and other
health conditions.
During a Friday press avail-
ability session, Gov. Kate Brown
said Oregon is facing a fourth
wave of the virus.
“The fourth surge of this virus
is at our doorstep,” Brown said.
The announcement comes
as new daily cases reported in
the state and county continue
to increase. State health offi -
cials noted that new daily cases
reported in Oregon rose by 42%,
twice the national rate, although
Oregon remains the fourth-low-
est state in new infections in the
country.
On the local level, the Grant
County Health Department
reported 15 new cases last week.
State health director Patrick
Allen said Grant County is one of
seven counties where fewer than
50% of seniors have received
the vaccine. The other counties
included Douglas, Morrow, Gil-
liam, Lake and Malheur.
Meanwhile, seven in 10
seniors in eight counties showed
up for the vaccine. These included
Deschutes, Hood River, Lane,
Multnomah and Tillamook.
ASK HOW YOU CAN HELP
What to Say:
“What can I do to support you?”
“I can stay with you tonight. Would
that help?”
“Do you want me to go with you
to the hospital or police station?”
AVOID “WHY QUESTIONS
What to Say:
Even with the best of
intentions “why” questions can
sound accusatory and make
survivors blame themselves.
Help is available for victims of sexual assault in Grant County. If you or someone
you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please call:
Heart of Grant County
541-620-1342
Grant County Victim
Assistance Program
541-575-4026
This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-WR-AX-0027 awarded by the Office on Violence Against
Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations
expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.
S239102-1
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 49/30
Wednesday ..................................................... 62/28
Thursday .......................................................... 72/39
Friday ............................................................... 71/34
Saturday .......................................................... 69/41
Sunday ............................................................. 64/37
Monday............................................................ 49/31
24/7 F ORECAST
A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
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